plodding

Group 5Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Slow-moving and unexciting; tediously dull
GRE

Example in Context

The novel's plodding first hundred pages discouraged many readers from reaching the brilliant final act.

Synonyms

slowtediousdull

Etymology

Walking heavily and slowly — a dull, tedious pace.

  • plod (Middle English) — to walk heavily

Memory Aid

🐢Sounds like “plod on

A turtle PLONKING along, taking so long that you start to PLONK your head on the table from boredom!

Visual Association

🐢A turtle trudging through mud, taking an eternity to reach a finish line that’s miles away.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “plodding” mean on the GRE?

plodding (adjective) means “Slow-moving and unexciting; tediously dull”. The novel's plodding first hundred pages discouraged many readers from reaching the brilliant final act.

How to remember “plodding” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “plodding” sounds like “plod on”. A turtle PLONKING along, taking so long that you start to PLONK your head on the table from boredom!

What are synonyms for “plodding”?

Common synonyms: slow, tedious, dull.